Contributing at the national, regional & international level 3 4 11 7 NHRIs make a unique and highly regarded contribution to the international human rights system. The independent information and analysis they provide ensures that pressing human rights issues can be rigorously debated by UN panels and targeted recommendations can be made to States. very high high medium low very low no response ANNUAL MEMBER SURVEY 2019: VALUE TO MEMBERS OF CONTRIBUTING AT THE NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVEL ‘A status’ NHRIs have been able to contribute to the work of the Human Rights Council and treaty monitoring bodies in Geneva for many years. After strong advocacy in recent years, the APF has helped secure equivalent participation rights for NHRIs in some General Assembly mechanisms in New York. More than 20 NHRIs made written or oral submissions to the UN Open Ended Working Group on Ageing (April 2019), led by the National Human Rights Commission of Korea. APF members also contributed to the work of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (April 2019) and the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (June 2018). In March 2019, the APF and GANHRI continued advocacy for independent NHRI participation rights at the 63rd session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 63). Despite opposition from some States, we maintained recent gains recognising the unique role of NHRIs. 16 ASIA PACIFIC FORUM OF NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS WHAT WE ACHIEVED IN 2018–19 • Presented a joint statement urging the Human Rights Council to extend the mandate of the Independent Expert on sexual orientation and gender identity • Contributed to the work of UN bodies in New York and continued our advocacy for independent participation rights for NHRIs at the Commission on the Status of Women APF attendance at CSW 63 also helped deepen our relationships with key partners, including UN Women and the United Nations Population Fund, with representatives from APF members addressing highlevel panels and side events.